Finance Minister Michael de Jong travels to Malaysia today to meet with government officials to review the significant progress toward making the first LNG project in B.C. a reality, and the project’s implications for enhanced bilateral trade between B.C. and Malaysia.

Government passed the Liquefied Natural Gas Project Agreements Act on July 21, 2015, and ratified the Pacific NorthWest LNG project agreements on July 23, 2015.

“Now that the Province has met its obligations, we are an important step closer to the company’s final investment decision and the start of an LNG industry in B.C.,” said de Jong. “We will keep moving forward to make this incredible opportunity a reality so we can build our economic portfolio, and create jobs and opportunities for British Columbians now and in the future.”

During this six-day trip, de Jong will meet with key government officials to discuss the ratification of a project agreement with Pacific NorthWest LNG, which is majority-owned by Malaysia’s nationally owned oil company, PETRONAS.

In June, Pacific NorthWest LNG announced it had reached an investment decision subject to approval of the project agreement by the B.C. legislative assembly and a positive regulatory decision on the project’s environmental assessment by the federal government.

If the project proceeds, Pacific NorthWest LNG will make an estimated $36-billion investment to build an LNG plant on Lelu Island near Prince Rupert. The project is expected to create 4,500 jobs at peak construction, as well as hundreds of long-term operational and spinoff jobs and an estimated $8.6 billion in additional provincial revenue by 2030 through taxes and royalties.

de Jong will also meet with investors to highlight B.C.’s economic strength, including the Province’s favourable credit story and investor opportunities such as LNG.

The estimated travel and accommodation cost for the minister and his chief of staff is approximately $7,900. Detailed information on final amounts will be made available.

Quick Facts:

• Pacific NorthWest LNG plans to build an LNG facility on Lelu Island, located in the District of Port Edward on land administered by the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
• The first phase of the project would consist of two liquefaction trains, two LNG storage tanks, marine infrastructure with two berths for LNG carriers and a material offloading facility, as well as administration and auxiliary buildings.
• The facility would liquefy and export natural gas produced by Progress Energy Canada Ltd. in northeast B.C. for transport to Lelu Island by the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project proposed to be built, owned and operated by TransCanada Pipelines Ltd.

Learn More:

For more information on Liquid Natural Gas in British Columbia, check out LNG in B.C.: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/lnginbc/

Factsheet: Strong framework for a new industry benefits B.C.:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/factsheet-strong-framework-for-a-new-industry-benefits-bc

Factsheet: Further key measures in Project Development Agreement:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/factsheet-further-key-measures-in-project-developmentagreement

A copy of the project agreements is available:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Project_Development_Agreement.pdf